Stainburn Moor, Harrogate.... 12-09-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Sunday 12 September 2010
Counting period: 6:56-12:30
Weather: NW 2 rising to 3/4 visibility v good. Cool at first, warm later.
Observers: A Hanby

Moving birds:
Cormorant 11 -
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 -
Chiffchaff 2 -
Grey Heron 1 -
Skylark 74 -
Goldcrest 6 -
Greylag Goose 35 + 6
Sand Martin 3 -
Coal Tit 5 -
Osprey 1 -
Swallow 178 -
Blue Tit 9 -
Peregrine 1 -
House Martin 37 -
Chaffinch 28 -
Golden Plover 6 -
Meadow Pipit 1266 -
Greenfinch 14 -
Lapwing 87 -
flava wagtail sp. 3 -
Goldfinch 19 -
Curlew 1 -
Grey Wagtail 3 -
Siskin 4 -
Black-headed Gull 75 -
alba wagtail sp. 10 -
Linnet 1 -
Common Gull 25 -
Dunnock 4 -
Reed Bunting 1 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 9 -
Wheatear 6 -

Totals: 1932 individuals, 32 species, 5:34 hours

Present: Red Kite 9, Common Buzzard 9, Kestrel 2, Lapwing 350, Black-headed Gull 80, Stock Dove 6, Woodpigeon 45, Collared Dove 2, Swallow 350, Blackbird 2, Great Tit 6, Starling 1200

Comments: A very interesting morning again with much more variety that yesterday. The highlight was the first Osprey for the site flying along the line of the A61 at 9 55. As usual I looked through bins and though odd large gull and then the scope revealed all. I followed it south and I guess I would have flown over Eccup res. A single flock of 11 cormorant South was interesting particularly since it ties n nicely with the Black Bank observations. At 1266 Mipits had their best count of the year for this site- as usual most passed in the first two hours with frantic bursts of activity- 225 in 5 minutes was the peak. Skylarks again put in a very good showing for the date (74 S)and as many were quite high ( generally above the Mipit line) I think I probably missed a load. A potential harbinger of a bumper Autumn was in the form of 6 Goldcrests that headed down the Hedge. It is worth pointing out that this hedge runs just South of W out of a well wooded area to u were is represents the only line of bushes/cover for possibly as much as 1K on either side and thus is a funnel up from the Vale of York direction. Hirundines on the mover were well down on yesterday but loads in the general area. Three flavas South continued the excellent track record for these here and were matched by three close flyby Whites ( in the alba count). yet again Dunnocks were on the move with four ( 3 and 1 ) heading high out of the hedge and out over the Fields SW. Finally also both Redpoll and Siskin put in an appearance ( 1 and 4 respectively.

.....................................................
Counting period: 13:45-15:30
Weather: NW 3/4 4/8 cloud - cool.
Observers: A Hanby


Moving birds:
Skylark 7 -
House Martin 15 -
Swallow 230 -
Meadow Pipit 25 -

Totals: 277 individuals, 4 species, 1:45 hours

Comments: Impromptu afternoon watch - family wanted to pick blackberries - which abound at this site. Quiet except for a fairly vigorous movement of Swallows West

Andy Hanby